Phrasal-prepositional verbs like put up with, get away with, and look forward to combine a verb, an adverbial particle, and a preposition into a single fixed unit that is always inseparable, as in I can’t put up with the noise. The final preposition is obligatory; dropping it changes or destroys the meaning.
Grammar Rule
Phrasal-prepositional verbs (put up with, get away with, look forward to, come up with) are always inseparable — the object, noun or pronoun, must always follow the entire three-word unit intact. The final preposition is obligatory; dropping it changes or destroys the meaning.
Advanced Phrasal Verbs with Three Particles: Rules and Examples
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Put up with | tolerate; always inseparable | I can’t put up with the noise. |
| Look forward to | anticipate with pleasure | They are looking forward to the holidays. |
Remember: Three-part phrasal-prepositional verbs never separate — keep verb, particle, and preposition together, with the object always placed after all three.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using advanced phrasal verbs with three particles correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
C2-29 Advanced Phrasal Verbs with Three Particles
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can phrasal-prepositional verbs be separated?
No, they are always inseparable, as in I can’t put up with the noise.
What does put up with mean?
Tolerate.
What does look forward to mean?
Anticipate with pleasure, as in they are looking forward to the holidays.
Is the final preposition optional?
No, it is obligatory; dropping it changes or destroys the meaning.